AB0254 ACCEPTABILITY OF A SMARTPHONE APPLICATION AMONG TUNISIAN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS
Authors: M. Yasmine, E. Hannech, S. Miladi, A. Fazaa, H. Boussaa, K. Ouenniche, L. Souabni, S. Kassab, S. Chekili, K. Ben Abdelghani, A. Laatar
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Nowadays, the utility of smartphone application for patients with rheumatic diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well established and codified [1]. Indeed, patient-centered smartphone applications have the potential to assist with the adoption and maintenance of self-management behaviors [2]. <h3>Objectives</h3> The purpose of our study was to investigate the willingness of RA patients to use smartphone applications for managing their disease. <h3>Methods</h3> This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in our rheumatology department including patients with RA, fulfilling the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria. Sociodemographic data were initially collected. Patients were invited to answer a questionnaire regarding their willingness to accept smartphone application as part of their management strategies. We evaluated their points of view and suitability by inquiring about their experience with smartphones, as well as the previous applications used. Moreover, additional questions probed the patients' willingness to pay for this monitoring app. <h3>Results</h3> The study included 40 RA patients. There was a female predominance with a sex ratio of 0.11. The mean age was of 52.25±14.4 years [21-78]. The mean disease duration was of 11.97±6.69 years [1-29]. Regarding the educational level, 10 patients (25%) were illiterate, 14 (35%) had primary education, 11 (27%) had secondary education, and 5 patients (13%) were university graduates. Most of them (60%) were unemployed, and 13% were retired. As for marital status, 37 patients (92%) were married, and 1 was divorced. According to the patients, the two main reported mobile phone utility concerned the ability to communication with other individuals (48%) and internet navigation (52%). None of them had uploaded a healthcare application before and only 4 patients had previously contacted their doctor via text messages or e-mail. Overall, 67% of the respondents agreed on the usefulness of a patient-centered smartphone app and 65% were willing to accept this alternative as a model of care. Similarly, most of the patients refused to pay for the app (63%). The adherence to the smart app was significantly higher among females compared to males (p=0.011). Moreover, willingness to accept these applications was associated with a higher level of education without reaching a statistically significant correlation (p=0.07). There was no association between the marital, profession, age or disease duration and the acceptability of the smartphone app (p=0.418, p=0.246, p=0.382 and p=0.527 respectively). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Findings from this study showed that RA patients were not as reluctant to accept a health-related smart phone application. The willingness to adopt these applications was higher among female patients. Further steps are needed for a better implementation of this utility in clinical practice. <h3>References</h3> [1] Nikiphorou E, Santos EJF, Marques A, Böhm P, Bijlsma JW, Daien CI, et al 2021 EULAR recommendations for the implementation of self-management strategies in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021;80(10):1278-1285. [2] Azevedo R, Bernardes M, Fonseca J, Lima A. Smartphone application for rheumatoid arthritis self-management: cross-sectional study revealed the usefulness, willingness to use and patients' needs. Rheumatol Int. 2015;35(10):1675-85. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.